Plainfield Schools District's 'Bring Cheer to a Child' Benefits Mark Staehely Toy Drive

The District 202 community is invited to watch cheerleaders from all seven District 202 middle schools perform as part of the fifth annual “Bring Cheer to a Child” fundraiser from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5.

This special event will take place in the main gym at Plainfield South High School, 7800 W. Caton Farm Rd., Plainfield.

Cheerleading squads from Aux Sable, Drauden Point, Heritage Grove, Indian Trail, Ira Jones, John F. Kennedy and Timber Ridge middle schools will entertain crowds with their holiday routines.

The event is open to the public and free of charge. However, attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy in lieu of admission to donate to the Mark Staehely Toy Drive.

Mark Staehely was 12 years old when he began the toy drive 12 years ago. He was receiving treatment at Children’s Memorial Hospital for neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. He passed away after fighting neuroblastoma — a rare pediatric cancer — for six years.

All of the toys will be given to patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital by Staehely’s family and friends who have promised to carry on his mission to ensure each child hospitalized over the holidays receives a present.

Toy donations will also be accepted at each District 202 middle school before the cheerleading event, for those who are unable to attend.

For more information on the Mark Staehely Toy Drive and the Make Your Mark Foundation, visit www.makeyourmark7.org.

Looking for more ways to give back in Plainfield? 

• The Plainfield Central PTSO Needy Family Drive is helping make the holidays bright for strugging District 202 families. Click to find out how you can get involved!